3c) LaMSS, Laboratory of Movement & Sport Science – Sarcopenia and Risk of Falls in Osteoporotic Women

LaMSS, Laboratory of Movement & Sport Science

Director: Dr. Jacopo Vitale

Research Topics

Sarcopenia and Risk of Falls in Osteoporotic Women

Topic 3_image

Fat fraction of thigh muscle by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Sarcopenia is currently considered a geriatric syndrome increasing in older people with a prevalence that ranges between 10%-50% among individuals over 65 years old. The negative effects of sarcopenia can include physical impairment, a greater risk of falls and fractures, disability, and limited self-sufficiency in activities of daily living. Therefore, detecting sarcopenia at an early stage is essential to delay the loss of muscle mass and to prevent future pathological conditions. We are studying sarcopenia status in osteoporotic women aged over 60 years old, classified with t-score < -2.5, and its association with risk of falls. Sarcopenia is evaluated both through a quantitative index of muscle mass given by the whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and with a qualitative value of muscle fat fraction derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In conclusion, the “OAK device” is used as an innovative technologic system, based on virtual reality, for the assessment of risk of fall in our patients.